Power supply engagement and method therefor

ABSTRACT

An information handling system includes a plurality of power supply units (PSUs) to supply power to one or more system components. For each PSU of the plurality of PSUs, a power conversion efficiency profile for the PSU is determined using a power management control module of the information handling system. The power conversion efficiency profile represents a power conversion efficiency of the PSU for each of one or more power outputs capable of being supplied by the PSU. The power management control module determines a total amount of power to be supplied to a load of the information handling system, and engages a select number of PSUs to provide the total amount of power based on the total amount of power and the power conversion efficiency profiles of the PSUs.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

This disclosure relates generally to information handling systems, andmore particularly relates to engagement of power supply devices ininformation handling systems.

BACKGROUND

As the value and use of information continues to increase, individualsand businesses seek additional ways to process and store information.One option is an information handling system. An information handlingsystem generally processes, compiles, stores, and/or communicatesinformation or data for business, personal, or other purposes. Becausetechnology and information handling needs and requirements can varybetween different applications, information handling systems can alsovary regarding what information is handled, how the information ishandled, how much information is processed, stored, or communicated, andhow quickly and efficiently the information can be processed, stored, orcommunicated. The variations in information handling systems allow forinformation handling systems to be general or configured for a specificuser or specific use such as financial transaction processing, airlinereservations, enterprise data storage, or global communications. Inaddition, information handling systems can include a variety of hardwareand software components that can be configured to process, store, andcommunicate information and can include one or more computer systems,data storage systems, and networking systems.

Many information handling systems utilize multiple power supply units(PSUs) to provide power to various components. Conventional techniquesfor utilization of these PSUs, such as engaging all of the PSUs all ofthe time or engaging as few PSUs as possible to provide a certain load,often result in unnecessary power consumption, thereby increasing thecost and complexity of operating of the information handling systems.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments incorporating teachings of the present disclosure are shownand described with respect to the drawings presented herein, in which:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an information handling systemhaving a power management control module to control a plurality of powersupply units (PSUs) in accordance with a specific embodiment of thepresent disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating the power management controlmodule of FIG. 1 in accordance with a specific embodiment of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 3 is a graph illustrating an example power conversion efficiencyprofile associated with a PSU included at the information handlingsystem of FIG. 1 in accordance with a specific embodiment of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 4 is a flow diagram illustrating a method for efficientlycontrolling the plurality of PSUs of the information handling system ofFIG. 1 in accordance with a specific embodiment of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 5 is a flow diagram illustrating a method for preparing a powerconversion efficiency profile for a PSU in accordance with a specificembodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 6 is a flow diagram illustrating a method for efficiently engagingpower supply units at the information handling system of FIG. 1 inaccordance with a specific embodiment of the present disclosure; and

FIG. 7 shows an illustrative embodiment of a general computer system inaccordance with at least one embodiment of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The following description in combination with the Figures is provided toassist in understanding the teachings disclosed herein. The followingdiscussion will focus on specific implementations and embodiments of theteachings. This focus is provided to assist in describing the teachingsand should not be interpreted as a limitation on the scope orapplicability of the teachings. However, other teachings certainly canbe utilized in this application.

FIG. 1 shows an information handling system 100 in accordance with atleast one embodiment of the present disclosure. For purposes of thisdisclosure, an information handling system may include anyinstrumentality or aggregate of instrumentalities operable to compute,classify, process, transmit, receive, retrieve, originate, switch,store, display, manifest, detect, record, reproduce, handle, or utilizeany form of information, intelligence, or data for business, scientific,control, entertainment, or other purposes. For example, an informationhandling system may be a personal computer, a PDA, a consumer electronicdevice, a network server or storage device, a switch router or othernetwork communication device, or any other suitable device and may varyin size, shape, performance, functionality, and price. The informationhandling system may include memory, one or more processing resourcessuch as a central processing unit (CPU) or hardware or software controllogic. Additional components of the information handling system mayinclude one or more storage devices, one or more communications portsfor communicating with external devices as well as various input andoutput (I/O) devices, such as a keyboard, a mouse, and a video display.The information handling system may also include one or more busesoperable to transmit communications between the various hardwarecomponents.

For the purpose of illustration, information handling system 100 isdescribed in an example context of a server chassis with multiple serverblades. The techniques described herein can be applied in otherinformation handling system contexts that utilize multiple PSUs withoutdeparting from the scope of the present disclosure.

Information handling system 100 includes a power delivery module 10,which includes a plurality of power supply units (PSUs), such as PSUs11, 12, 13, 14, 15, and 16, server nodes 20, 21, 22, and 23, and achassis management control module 30. Chassis management control module30 includes a power management control module 40. Power managementcontrol module 40 is configured to selectively engage one or more PSUsof PSUs 11-16 to supply power to server nodes 20-23 based on techniquesdisclosed herein. An information handling system may include othercomponents in addition to those illustrated that also receive power frompower delivery module 10. A PSU is engaged when it is actively providingpower to a load, such as information handling system 100. Conversely, aPSU is disengaged when it is not providing power to a load of theinformation handling system, such as in response to a failure of thePSU, or in response to an action by chassis management control module30.

Each PSU of PSUs 11-16 has an input to receive electric power via a nodelabeled “MAINS POWER,” a bidirectional control interface terminalconnected to a node labeled “SMBUS,” and an output connected to a nodelabeled “POWER PLANE.” Each server node of server nodes 20-23 has aninput to receive power from node POWER PLANE and a bidirectional controlinterface terminal connected to node SMBUS. Chassis management controlmodule 30 is connected to node SMBUS. Node SMBUS facilitatescommunication of information between components of information handlingsystem 100 in accordance with an industry-standard System Management Bus(SMBus) serial interface protocol. For the purpose of example, six PSUsare illustrated at FIG. 1, however a greater or fewer number of PSUs canbe included at information handling system 100.

In one embodiment, each PSU of PSUs 11-16 is compliant with a standardpower-management protocol known as Power Management Bus (PMBus). ThePMBus protocol is implemented over the SMBus protocol, and enableschassis management control module 30 to program, control, and conductreal-time monitoring of each PSU of PSUs 11-16. For example, powermanagement control module 40 is configured to query each PSU of PSUs11-16 to determine an amount of mains power received at the input of aselected PSU via node MAINS POWER (power input), and to determine anamount of power provided to node POWER PLANE at the output of theselected PSU (power output). Furthermore, power management controlmodule 40 is configured to selectively engage and disengage PSUs of PSUs11-16 in accordance with efficiency profiles associated with PSUs 11-16,described in greater detail herein. While the PMBus protocol is used inthis example, another standard protocol or a proprietary signalingformat can be used to implement communication between power managementcontrol module 40 and each PSU of PSUs 11-16.

Each server node of server nodes 20-23 can include one or more dataprocessing devices, such as a microprocessor or microcomputer, and eachdata processing device can include one or more processor cores. Eachserver node of server nodes 20-23 is operable to accesscomputer-readable medium such as a memory device, which is capable ofstoring a software program that includes a set of instructions tomanipulate at least one processor to perform desired tasks. A servernode further can include memory devices, other information storagedevices, peripheral interface devices, and the like. Furthermore, aserver node can include one or more interfaces (not shown) to supportcommunications and information transfer with another server node, orwith other components of information handling system 100 such as sharedinformation storage devices, peripheral interface devices, and the like(not shown at FIG. 1). The SMBus interface is an example of one suchinterface. In an embodiment, information handling system 100 may includea server rack, and server nodes 20-23 may each represent blade servers.

Chassis management control module 30 is configured to monitor andcontrol components of information handling system 100. For example,chassis management control module can activate and deactivate servernodes in response to a power conservation policy. Chassis managementcontrol module 30 includes power management control module 40, which isconfigured to manage the operation of PSUs 11-16. For example, powermanagement control module 40 can query operational parameters associatedwith each PSU of PSUs 11-16, determine how many PSUs should be engagedto supply power to node POWER PLANE at a particular time based on thereceived information, and configure each PSU accordingly. Furthermore,power management control module 40 is configured to determine anefficiency profile for each PSU, and to engage a select number of PSUsbased on current operating characteristics of information handlingsystem 100 and based on efficiency analysis that it performs.

The amount of power consumed by a respective server node can vary inresponse to how the corresponding server node is configured, theselection and utilization of associated hardware components, and thetype of computations being performed at the server node, amongst otherfactors. For example, chassis management control module 30 can place oneor more server nodes into a power-conservation mode when demand forcomputational resources does not require the operation of all servernodes. Power management control module 40 can respond to current powerdemand of information handling system 100 and dynamically engage aselected number of PSUs based on information included at PSU efficiencyprofiles to improve the power conversion efficiency of power deliverymodule 10 in accordance with one or more embodiments of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating power management control module40 of FIG. 1 in accordance with a specific embodiment of the presentdisclosure. Power management control module 40 can be implemented usingdedicated logic devices, by one or more processors configured to executea software program, or a combination thereof. In the illustrated exampleat FIG. 2, power management control module 40 is implemented as one ormore processors that execute instructions included in one or moresoftware programs. In particular, power management control module 40includes a storage component 210, one or more processors 220 or otherdata processing devices, and a memory device 230. Storage component 210is configured to store a power conversion efficiency profile 212 in adata structure such as a file, a table, a linked list, or the like.Memory device 230 includes a software program 232, which includes anefficiency computation software module 234 and an engagement softwaremodule 236. Engagement software module 236 includes redundancy policyinformation 238 representative of the PSU redundancy policy to beimplemented in information handling system 100.

Processor 220 includes a bidirectional control interface connected tonode SMBUS, a bidirectional data interface connected to storagecomponent 210, and a bidirectional data interface connected to memorydevice 230. Processor 220 is operable to execute software program 232.Processor 220 may be a device that is dedicated to performing only tasksassociated with power management control module 40, or it may performadditional processing tasks of information handling system 100.

Storage component 210 can include one or more registers included at dataprocessing device 220, a non-volatile or volatile memory device, oranother device operable to store one or more power conversion efficiencyprofiles, such as power conversion efficiency profile 212. Memory device230 is configured to store software program 232, and may include ahard-disk drive, a random access memory (RAM), a read only memory (ROM),another type of data memory device, or a combination thereof.Furthermore, storage component 210 can be implemented using storageresources provided by memory device 230. Each of efficiency computationsoftware module 234 and engagement software module 236 includes sets ofinstructions that can be executed by processor 220. In anotherembodiment, power management control module 40 can be partially or fullyimplemented in hardware using a state machine, hard-coded logic devices,and the like.

Power management control module 40 is configured to determine arespective power conversion efficiency profile representing powerconversion efficiency characteristics of each corresponding PSU of PSUs11-16 over a range of operating loads. During operation of informationhandling system 100, power management control module 40 can periodicallyrequest information from each PSU using the PMBus protocol conducted bynode SMBUS. For example, management control module 40 can issue arequest to PSU 11 inquiring as to an amount of power currently beingreceived by PSU 11, and a corresponding output power currently beingprovided by PSU 11. Based on this information, management control module40 can calculate a power conversion efficiency of PSU 11 for the currentoperating load using the equation:

$\begin{matrix}{{Efficiency} = {\frac{\left( {{Pin} - {Pout}} \right)}{Pin} \times 100}} & {{Eq}.\mspace{14mu} 1}\end{matrix}$where the variable Pin represents the power consumed by the PSU (powerinput), and the variable Pout represents the power provided at theoutput of the PSU (power output). Power management control module 40 canissue similar requests to each PSU of PSUs 11-16 and do so over a rangeof operating conditions (and an associated range of loads) to compile apower conversion efficiency profile corresponding to each PSU asdescribed in greater detail with reference to FIG. 5.

In one embodiment, a power conversion efficiency profile of a PSUincludes a set of data-pairs representative of the power conversionefficiencies of the PSU over a range of output loads or power outputs.In particular, the power conversion efficiency is calculated andexpressed based on a quantity referred to as “percent-of-load.”Percent-of-load is a fraction, expressed as a percentage, quantifyingthe power provided by a PSU in relation to a maximum output powercapability of the PSU:

$\begin{matrix}{{{Percent}\text{-}{of}\text{-}{load}} = {\frac{P_{out}}{P_{\max}} \times 100}} & {{Eq}.\mspace{14mu} 2}\end{matrix}$where the variable Pout represents the power provided at the output ofthe PSU (power output), and P_(max) represents the specified maximumoutput power that the PSU is capable of providing. For example, if themaximum output power of a PSU is 1000 watts, and the PSU is currentlyproviding 500 watts of power, the percent-of-load is 50%. Thus, thepower conversion efficiency profile of a PSU can include a respectivepower conversion efficiency corresponding to percent-of-load valuesranging from approximately zero to 100% of percent-of-load. Theefficiency profile information can be stored in a data structure atstorage component 210.

Power management control module 40 is further configured to: 1)determine a total amount of power to be supplied to information handlingsystem 100; 2) determine a minimum number of PSUs needed to provide thetotal amount of power; 3) determine a select number of PSUs to providethe total amount of power, so as to minimize a total amount of powerinput to the plurality of PSUs in order to generate the total amount ofpower; and 4) engage the select number of PSUs. The total amount ofpower to be supplied to information handling system 100 is the totalamount of power currently being consumed by all components included atinformation handling system 100. The minimum number of PSUs needed toprovide the total amount of power may be fewer than the number of PSUsincluded at power delivery module 10. The minimum number of PSUs isdetermined based on the maximum power outputs (power deliverycapability) of the PSUs. The select number of PSUs that will be engagedto provide the total amount of power may be greater than the minimumnumber of PSUs if power management control module 40 determines thatdoing so will reduce a total amount of power input to the plurality ofPSUs in order to generate the total amount of power.

FIG. 3 is a graph 300 illustrating an example power conversionefficiency profile associated with a power supply unit included atinformation handling system 100 of FIG. 1 in accordance with a specificembodiment of the present disclosure. Graph 300 includes a horizontalaxis representing percent-of-load, and a vertical axis representingpower conversion efficiency, expressed as a percentage. Graph 300includes a data curve 310 representing the power conversion efficiencyof a PSU, in relationship to a percent-of-load of the PSU.

A power conversion efficiency profile associates power conversionefficiency in relationship to a percent-of-load. As illustrated by datacurve 310, the power conversion efficiency of a PSU can vary over arange of operating load. For example, when the PSU is providing only tenpercent of its specified maximum output power, illustrated by data point320, the power conversion efficiency of the PSU is approximately 81.5%.The power conversion efficiency increases to approximately 91% when thePSU is providing approximately 45% of its specified maximum outputpower, as illustrated by data point 321. It is not unusual for the powerconversion efficiency to decrease as the percent-of-load approaches thespecified maximum output power, as illustrated by data point 322, wherethe PSU is operating at an efficiency of approximately 88% whenproviding its maximum rated output power. While a large number of datapoints included at a power conversion efficiency profile is notessential, a greater number of data points, over a large range ofpercent-of-load, can be advantageous when used by the techniquesdisclosed herein.

A power conversion efficiency profile, such as that represented by datacurve 300, can be compiled over an extended time of operation ofinformation handling system 100. Furthermore, the data included at apower conversion efficiency profile may be updated periodically, e.g.every thousand operating hours, to maintain the accuracy of the data asthe efficiency characteristics of the PSU change over time. In anembodiment, a single power conversion efficiency profile can bedetermined and used to represent one or more of multiple PSUs. Forexample, if information handling system 100 includes six similar PSUs, asingle power conversion efficiency profile can be prepared and used torepresent each of the six PSUs. In an embodiment, a power conversionefficiency profile may be predetermined or the associated data may besupplied by a manufacturer or a third party.

FIG. 4 is a flow diagram 400 illustrating a method for efficientlycontrolling the plurality of PSUs of information handling system 100 ofFIG. 1 in accordance with a specific embodiment of the presentdisclosure. Flow diagram 400 starts at block 410 where power managementcontrol module 40 determines a power conversion efficiency profile foreach PSU of information handling system 100. Alternatively, powermanagement control module 40 can determine a single power conversionefficiency profile that can be used to represent the power conversionefficiency of similar PSUs, or PSUs of the same type. The flow proceedsto block 420 where power management control module 40 dynamicallyengages select subsets of the PSUs based on current power demand ofinformation handling system 100 and based on information provided by thepower conversion efficiency profiles.

FIG. 5 is a flow diagram 500 illustrating a method for preparing a powerconversion efficiency profile for a PSU in accordance with a specificembodiment of the present disclosure. Flow diagram 500 corresponds toblock 410 at flow diagram 400 of FIG. 4. Flow diagram 500 begins atblock 511 where power management control module 40 determines input andoutput power measurements for a PSU at information handling system 100.For example, power management control module 40 can issue requests tothe PSU via the PMBus protocol to collect measurements of output powerprovided by the PSU corresponding to input power received at the PSU.The flow proceeds to block 512 where an operating efficiency of each PSUis determined based on the power measurements using Eq. 1 above. Theflow proceeds to decision block 513 where power management controlmodule 40 determines whether the power conversion efficiency profile forthe PSU is sufficiently complete. As previously described, a greater ora fewer number of data points can be included at a power conversionefficiency profile, and additional data points can be accumulated at alater time as operation of the information handling system continues. Ifthe power conversion efficiency profile is sufficiently complete, theflow terminates. If the power conversion efficiency profile is notsufficiently complete, the flow returns to block 511. At block 511,additional measurements are performed at a variety of configurations andutilization levels of information handling system 100. Thus, a range ofpower input and power output data pairs can be collected correspondingto additional values of the PSU percent-of-load. The method of flowdiagram 500 can be repeated for each PSU, and for each output terminalof a PSU that includes more than one output terminal capable ofproviding power. Furthermore, measurements associated with multiple PSUscan be collected in an interleaved manner rather than doing so one PSUat a time.

FIG. 6 is a flow diagram 600 illustrating a method for efficientlyengaging PSUs 11-16 at information handling system 100 of FIG. 1 inaccordance with a specific embodiment of the present disclosure. Flowdiagram 600 corresponds to block 420 at flow diagram 400 of FIG. 4. Flowdiagram 600 begins at block 621 where power management control module 40determines a percent-of-load for each PSU included at informationhandling system 100 based on a current chassis power utilization.Parallel-connected PSUs are configured to load-share, wherein each PSUcontributes a portion of the chassis power utilization. Power managementcontrol module 40 polls each PSU and determines a percent-of-load foreach respective PSU based on a corresponding output power provided bythe PSU, and the specified maximum output power capability of that PSU.For example, if four PSUs, such as PSUs 11-14, are each engaged and eachsupplying 500 watts of power to information handling system 100, andeach PSU is capable of delivering a maximum of 1000 watts of power, theneach PSU of PSUs 10-13 is operating at 50 percent-of-load. Because PSUs15-16 are not presently engaged, they are each operating at zeropercent-of-load. Once a percent-of-load is determined for each PSU, theflow proceeds to block 622 where a previously prepared power conversionefficiency profile corresponding to each PSU is used to identify a powerconversion efficiency of each PSU based on the current percent-of-loadof the respective PSU.

The flow proceeds to decision block 623 where a desired power managementpolicy is determined. A power management policy can include one or morePSU redundancy policies. A PSU redundancy policy specifies how manyadditional PSUs are engaged, so that in the event that one or more PSUsfail, the remaining operating PSUs are still capable of providing thepower demand of information handling system 100. Therefore, a PSUredundancy policy imposes a minimum number of PSUs that can be engagedbased on the current power demand of information handling system 100.Power management control module 40 is configured to engage additionalPSUs if it determines that doing so will decrease the total amount ofpower consumed by PSUs 11-16 while supplying the current chassis powerutilization.

If the current power management policy specifies that no PSU redundancypolicy is desired, the flow proceeds to block 624 where power managementcontrol module 40 identifies an appropriate number of PSUs that togethersupply the current power demand of information handling system mostefficiently based on the power conversion efficiency profile of thePSUs. As previously described with reference to graph 300 at FIG. 3, aPSU may operate most efficiently when it is providing an amount of powerthat is, for example, approximately one half of its maximum specifiedcapability. Thus, engaging a surplus of PSUs (more PSUs than minimallyrequired to provide the current power demand of information handlingsystem 100 with the specified PSU redundancy) so that each engaged PSUis supplying an amount of power equal to approximately one half of itspower capability, can improve the total operating efficiency of a powerdelivery module. A power conversion efficiency profile associated witheach PSU provides the necessary power conversion efficiency informationneeded by power management control module 40 to identify a highestefficiency mode of operation.

For example, if the current power demand of information handling system100 is 900 watts, and each PSU of PSUs 11-16 is capable of delivery 1000watts of power, a single PSU is capable of providing the required power,but by engaging two PSUs, the two engaged PSUs together operate withgreater overall efficiency compared to if only one PSU is engaged.Accordingly, power management control module 40 will engage two PSUs.After a desired number of PSUs have been identified, the flow proceedsto decision block 627 where power management control module 40determines if the current number of engaged PSUs is different from thedesired number. If the current number of engaged PSUs is equal to thedesired number, the flow returns to block 621 where power managementcontrol module 40 once again evaluates the current power demand of thechassis and the percent-of-load of each associated PSU. If the currentnumber of engaged PSUs is not equal to the desired number, the flowproceeds to block 628 where the PSU configuration is modified byengaging the desired number of PSUs.

Engaging a select number of PSU to provide the current (total) amount ofpower to be supplied to information handling system 100 is determinedbased on four simultaneous considerations: 1) providing a minimum numberof PSUs; 2) satisfying a PSU redundancy policy; 3) improving powerconversion efficiency; and 4) changes in configuration of informationhandling system 100. A minimum number of PSUs is determined based on thetotal amount of power currently being consumed by information handlingsystem 100, wherein a sufficient number of PSUs are engaged to providethis current power demands. A PSU redundancy policy, if present,dictates that a surplus number of PSU be engaged to provide a powerdelivery capability above and beyond the minimum number of PSUssufficient to provide the current power requirements of informationhandling system 100 in the event of a failure or an intentionaldisengagement of one or more PSUs. For example, the PSU redundancypolicy may specify that the current amount of power continues to beprovided by power delivery module 10 following a failure of any one PSU,a failure or intentional disengagement of one half of the engaged PSUs,or another unanticipated event.

Improving the power conversion efficiency of power delivery module 105based on the power conversion efficiency profile associated with eachPSU can be provided by iterative algorithms wherein calculations areperformed to simulate hypothetical configurations of PSUs that includean addition of one or more PSU, or the substitution of one or more PSUsfor another selection of one or more PSUs. The calculations determinewhether the overall power conversion efficiency provided by powerdelivery module 10 is increased or decreased for each hypotheticalconfiguration. The simulation algorithm can use an exhaustive approach,or it can include optimizations based on the characteristics of thepower conversion efficiency profile information. A select number of PSUsare subsequently engaged corresponding to the configuration that ispredicted to provide substantially optimal power conversion efficiencybased on the iterative calculations. The first three considerations canbe evaluated periodically, e.g. every two seconds, so that adjustmentscan be made to the number of engaged PSUs based on changes in the powerdemands of information handling system 100 resulting from a change inthe amount of computational work being performed. Furthermore, chassismanagement control module 30 is configured to alert power managementcontrol module 40 prior to making a change in the configuration ofinformation handling system, so that additional PSUs can be engaged toprovide for an impending increase in power demands. For example, chassismanagement control module 30 can alert power management control module40 when it intends to restore to full operation a server node that waspreviously in a power conservation mode.

Returning to decision block 623, if the current power management policyspecifies that a N+1 PSU redundancy policy is desired, the flow proceedsto block 625, where power management control module 40 identifies anappropriate number of PSUs that together can supply the current powerdemand of information handling system most efficiently while also makingcertain that any one engaged PSU can fail and the remaining engaged PSUswill be capable of supplying the power demand of information handlingsystem 100. After a desired number of PSUs have been identified, theflow proceeds to decision block 627, as previously described.

Returning to decision block 623, if the current power management policyspecifies that a 2N PSU redundancy policy is desired, the flow proceedsto block 626, where power management control module 40 identifies anappropriate number of PSUs that together supply the current power demandof information handling system most efficiently while also makingcertain that half of the engaged PSU can fail or be taken off-line andthe remaining engaged PSUs will be capable of supplying the power demandof information handling system 100. A 2N PSU redundancy policy can bedesirable where the available PSUs are divided into two sets, whereineach set is capable of separately providing sufficient power. Each ofthe two sets can include an independent input power distribution andseparate circuit breaker capability. Thus, one of the two sets can becompletely disengaged to support maintenance operations or in the eventof failure of one or more individual PSUs, and the remaining set isstill capable of supplying adequate power to maintain the operation ofinformation handling system 100. After a desired number of PSUs havebeen identified, the flow proceeds to decision block 627, as previouslydescribed.

The following table illustrates three example configurations for aninformation handling system utilizing six PSUs based on a range ofchassis power demand. In this table, each PSU is capable of delivering amaximum of 2300 watts of power and each has the same power conversionefficiency profile.

Chassis Power Demand 2N Redundancy Somewhat efficient Most efficient(watts) Configuration Configuration Configuration 1500 6 PSU @ 11% Load1 PSU @ 64% Load 2 PSU @ 32% Load (72% efficiency) (89% efficiency) (90%efficiency 2100 6 PSU @ 14% Load 1 PSU @ 89% Load 2 PSU @ 45% Load (72%efficiency) (88% efficiency) (91% efficiency) 2400 6 PSU @ 17% Load 4PSU @ 25% Load 2 PSU @ 51% Load (72% efficiency) (85% efficiency) (90%efficiency) 2700 6 PSU @ 19% Load 4 PSU @ 29% Load 2 PSU @ 57% Load (72%efficiency) (85% efficiency) (90% efficiency) 3000 6 PSU @ 21% Load 4PSU @ 32% Load 2 PSU @ 65% Load (85% efficiency) (90% efficiency) (90%efficiency) 3600 6 PSU @ 25% Load 4 PSU @ 76% Load 4 PSU @ 38% Load (85%efficiency) (89% efficiency) (90% efficiency)The first column represents a current power demand of informationhandling system 100 over a range of 1500 watts to 3600 watts. The secondcolumn illustrates a 2N PSU redundancy policy wherein six PSUs arearranged as two sets of three, and wherein all six PSUs are engagedduring normal operation. In this configuration, the efficiency of thepower delivery module ranges from 72% to 85%. The third columnillustrates a scenario where a greater or fewer number of PSUs areengaged based on chassis power demand and the power conversionefficiency of the PSUs. In this configuration, the efficiency of thepower delivery module ranges from 85% to 90%. The final columnillustrates a configuration of PSUs based on the present disclosure.Power management control module 40 engages a number of PSUs based onpercent-of-load and a power conversion efficiency profile associatedwith each PSU, and achieves power conversion efficiencies ranging from90% to 91%.

FIG. 7 shows an illustrative embodiment of an implementation ofinformation handling system 100 as a general computer system 700 inaccordance with at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. Thecomputer system 700 can include a set of instructions that can beexecuted to cause the computer system to perform any one or more of themethods or computer based functions disclosed herein. The computersystem 700 may operate as a standalone device or may be connected, e.g.,using a network, to other computer systems or peripheral devices.

In a networked deployment, the computer system may operate in thecapacity of a server or as a client user computer in a server-clientuser network environment, or as a peer computer system in a peer-to-peer(or distributed) network environment. The computer system 700 can alsobe implemented as or incorporated into various devices, such as apersonal computer (PC), a communications device, a web appliance, anetwork router, switch or bridge, or any other machine capable ofexecuting a set of instructions (sequential or otherwise) that specifyactions to be taken by that machine. In a particular embodiment, thecomputer system 700 can be implemented using electronic devices thatprovide voice, video or data communication. Further, while a singlecomputer system 700 is illustrated, the term “system” shall also betaken to include any collection of systems or sub-systems thatindividually or jointly execute a set, or multiple sets, of instructionsto perform one or more computer functions.

The computer system 700 may include a processor 702, e.g., a centralprocessing unit (CPU), a graphics processing unit (GPU), or both.Moreover, the computer system 700 can include a main memory 704 and astatic memory 706 that can communicate with each other via a bus 708. Asshown, the computer system 700 may further include a video display unit710, such as a liquid crystal display (LCD), an organic light emittingdiode (OLED), a flat panel display, a solid state display, or a cathoderay tube (CRT). Additionally, the computer system 700 may include aninput device 712, such as a keyboard, and a cursor control device 714,such as a mouse. The computer system 700 can also include a disk driveunit 716, a signal generation device 718, such as a speaker or remotecontrol, and a network interface device 720.

In a particular embodiment, as depicted in FIG. 7, the disk drive unit716 may include a computer-readable medium 722 in which one or more setsof instructions 724, e.g. software, can be embedded. Further, theinstructions 724 may embody one or more of the methods or logic asdescribed herein. In a particular embodiment, the instructions 724 mayreside completely, or at least partially, within the main memory 704,the static memory 706, and/or within the processor 702 during executionby the computer system 700. The main memory 704 and the processor 702also may include computer-readable media. The network interface device720 can provide connectivity to a network 726, e.g., a wide area network(WAN), a local area network (LAN), or other network.

In an alternative embodiment, dedicated hardware implementations such asapplication specific integrated circuits, programmable logic arrays andother hardware devices can be constructed to implement one or more ofthe methods described herein. Applications that may include theapparatus and systems of various embodiments can broadly include avariety of electronic and computer systems. One or more embodimentsdescribed herein may implement functions using two or more specificinterconnected hardware modules or devices with related control and datasignals that can be communicated between and through the modules, or asportions of an application-specific integrated circuit. Accordingly, thepresent system encompasses software, firmware, and hardwareimplementations.

In accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure, themethods described herein may be implemented by software programsexecutable by a computer system. Further, in an exemplary, non-limitedembodiment, implementations can include distributed processing,component/object distributed processing, and parallel processing.Alternatively, virtual computer system processing can be constructed toimplement one or more of the methods or functionality as describedherein.

The present disclosure contemplates a computer-readable medium thatincludes instructions 724 or receives and executes instructions 724responsive to a propagated signal, so that a device connected to anetwork 726 can communicate voice, video or data over the network 726.Further, the instructions 724 may be transmitted or received over thenetwork 726 via the network interface device 720.

While the computer-readable medium is shown to be a single medium, theterm “computer-readable medium” includes a single medium or multiplemedia, such as a centralized or distributed database, and/or associatedcaches and servers that store one or more sets of instructions. The term“computer-readable medium” shall also include any medium that is capableof storing, encoding or carrying a set of instructions for execution bya processor or that cause a computer system to perform any one or moreof the methods or operations disclosed herein.

In a particular non-limiting, exemplary embodiment, thecomputer-readable medium can include a solid-state memory such as amemory card or other package that houses one or more non-volatileread-only memories. Further, the computer-readable medium can be arandom access memory or other volatile re-writable memory. Additionally,the computer-readable medium can include a magneto-optical or opticalmedium, such as a disk or tapes or other storage device to capturecarrier wave signals such as a signal communicated over a transmissionmedium. A digital file attachment to an e-mail or other self-containedinformation archive or set of archives may be considered a distributionmedium that is equivalent to a tangible storage medium. Accordingly, thedisclosure is considered to include any one or more of acomputer-readable medium or a distribution medium and other equivalentsand successor media, in which data or instructions may be stored.

Although only a few exemplary embodiments have been described in detailabove, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that manymodifications are possible in the exemplary embodiments withoutmaterially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of theembodiments of the present disclosure. Accordingly, all suchmodifications are intended to be included within the scope of theembodiments of the present disclosure as defined in the followingclaims.

What is claimed is:
 1. In an information handling system comprising aplurality of power supply units (PSUs) to supply power to one or morecomponents of the information handling system, a method comprising:determining, for each PSU, a power conversion efficiency profile for thePSU using a power management control module of the information handlingsystem, the power conversion efficiency profile representing a powerconversion efficiency of the PSU for each of one or more power outputsof the PSU; determining a maximum amount of power consumed duringoperation of the one or more components; determining a minimum number ofPSUs capable of providing the maximum amount of power; determining,based on a PSU redundancy policy of the information handling system, afirst number of PSUs greater than the minimum number of PSUs, the policyspecifying a number of additional PSUs to engage so that if one or morePSUs fails during operation, a remaining number of functional PSUs iscapable of supplying the maximum amount of power; determining a firstamount of power consumed at inputs of the first number of PSUs duringoperation of the one or more components; and determining a second numberof PSUs to engage to provide power to the one or more components, thesecond number greater than the first number of PSUs, wherein a totalamount of power consumed at inputs of the second number of PSUs duringoperation of the information handling system is less than the firstamount of power, the determining based on the power conversionefficiency profile of each PSU.
 2. The method of claim 1, whereindetermining a power conversion efficiency profile for a PSU comprises:determining a power conversion efficiency of the PSU for each of aplurality of power outputs of the PSU; and for each determined powerconversion efficiency, storing a value representative of the powerconversion efficiency in a data structure in a storage component, thedata structure representing the power conversion efficiency profile ofthe PSU.
 3. The method of claim 2, wherein determining a powerconversion efficiency of the PSU for a power output comprises:determining a power input of the PSU to generate the power output; anddetermining the power conversion efficiency of the PSU for the poweroutput based on a ratio of the power output to the power input.
 4. Themethod of claim 1, wherein determining a power conversion efficiencyprofile for a PSU comprises accessing a data structure from a storagecomponent using the power management control module, the data structurecomprising a plurality of predetermined values representative of thepower conversion efficiency of the PSU at each of a plurality ofcorresponding power outputs of the PSU.
 5. The method of claim 1,wherein each PSU of the plurality of PSUs is of the same type, andwherein determining the power conversion efficiency profile for each PSUcomprises determining a single power conversion efficiency profilerepresentative of every PSU of the plurality of PSUs.
 6. An informationhandling system comprising: a plurality of system components; aplurality of power supply units (PSUs) to supply power to one or more ofthe system components; and a power management control module to:determine, for each PSU, a power conversion efficiency profile for thePSU, the power conversion efficiency profile representing a powerconversion efficiency of the PSU for each of one or more power outputsof the PSU; determine a maximum amount of power consumed duringoperation of the system components; determine a minimum number of PSUscapable of providing the maximum amount of power; determine, based on aPSU redundancy policy of the information handling system, a first numberof PSUs greater than the minimum number of PSUs, the policy specifying anumber of additional PSUs to engage so that if one or more of the PSUsfails during operation, a remaining number of functional PSUs is capableof supplying the maximum amount of power; determine a first amount ofpower consumed at inputs of the first number of PSUs during operation ofthe information handling system; and determine a second number of PSUsto engage to provide power to the system components, the second numbergreater than the first number of PSUs, wherein a total amount of powerconsumed at inputs of the second number of PSUs during operation of theinformation handling system is less than the first amount of power, thedetermining based on the power conversion efficiency profile of eachPSU.
 7. The information handling system of claim 6, wherein the powermanagement control module determines a power conversion efficiencyprofile for a PSU by: determining a power conversion efficiency of thePSU for each of a plurality of power outputs by the PSU; and for eachdetermined power conversion efficiency, storing a value representativeof the power conversion efficiency in a data structure in a storagecomponent, the data structure representing the power conversionefficiency profile of the PSU.
 8. The information handling system ofclaim 7, wherein the power management control module determines a powerconversion efficiency of the PSU for a power output by: determining apower input of the PSU to generate the power output; and determining thepower conversion efficiency of the PSU for the power output based on aratio of the power output to the power input.
 9. The informationhandling system of claim 6, wherein the power management control moduledetermines a power conversion efficiency profile for a PSU by accessinga data structure from a storage component of the information handlingsystem using the power management control module, the data structurecomprising a plurality of predetermined values representative of thepower conversion efficiency of the PSU at each of a plurality ofcorresponding power outputs of the PSU.
 10. The information handlingsystem of claim 6, wherein: the information handling system comprises aserver rack; and the plurality of system components comprises aplurality of blade servers.
 11. A non-transitory computer-readablemedium storing a software program, the software program comprising a setof instructions to manipulate at least one processor to: determine, foreach PSU of a plurality of PSUs configured to supply power to one ormore components of an information handling system, a power conversionefficiency profile for the PSU, the power conversion efficiency profilerepresenting a power conversion efficiency of the PSU for each of one ormore power outputs of the PSU; determine a maximum amount of powerconsumed during operation of the one or more components; determine aminimum number of PSUs capable of providing the maximum amount of power;determine, based on a PSU redundancy policy of the information handlingsystem, a first number of PSUs greater than the minimum number of PSUs,the policy specifying a number of additional PSUs to engage so that ifone or more of the PSUs fails during operation, a remaining number offunctional PSUs is capable of supplying the maximum amount of power;determine a first amount of power consumed at inputs of the first numberof PSUs during operation of the one or more components; and determine asecond number of PSUs to engage to provide power to the one or morecomponents, the second number greater than the first number of PSUs,wherein a total amount of power consumed at inputs of the second numberof PSUs during operation of the information handling system is less thanthe first amount of power, the determining based on the power conversionefficiency profile of each PSU.
 12. The computer-readable medium ofclaim 11, wherein the set of instructions to manipulate at least oneprocessor to determine a power conversion efficiency of the PSU for apower output comprises instructions to manipulate at least one processorto: determine a power conversion efficiency of the PSU for each of aplurality of power outputs of the PSU; and for each determined powerconversion efficiency, to store a value representative of the powerconversion efficiency in a data structure in a storage component, thedata structure representing the power conversion efficiency profile ofthe PSU.
 13. The computer-readable medium of claim 11, whereindetermining a power conversion efficiency profile for a PSU comprises:determining a power conversion efficiency of the PSU for each of aplurality of power outputs of the PSU; and for each determined powerconversion efficiency, storing a value representative of the powerconversion efficiency in a data structure in a storage component, thedata structure representing the power conversion efficiency profile ofthe PSU.
 14. The computer-readable medium of claim 13, whereindetermining a power conversion efficiency of the PSU for a power outputcomprises: determining a power input of the PSU to generate the poweroutput; and determining the power conversion efficiency of the PSU forthe power output based on a ratio of the power output to the powerinput.
 15. The computer readable medium of claim 11, wherein determininga power conversion efficiency profile for a PSU comprises accessing adata structure from a storage component using the power managementcontrol module, the data structure comprising a plurality ofpredetermined values representative of the power conversion efficiencyof the PSU at each of a plurality of corresponding power outputs of thePSU.
 16. The computer readable medium of claim 11, wherein each PSU ofthe PSUs is of the same type, and wherein determining the powerconversion efficiency profile for each PSU comprises determining asingle power conversion efficiency profile representative of every PSU.